We have many euphemisms for death with “passed away” being one of the most common. Euphemisms are usually used when the topic is sensitive or when someone is trying to make an uncomfortable topic more pleasant.

But, in using euphemisms are we really making the topic of death easier or are we making it more difficult to accept? Whatever terminology we use, coping with the death of a loved one isn’t easy.

Jamie Sarche, Founder of Talking Before the Mourning and Director of Preplanning at Feldman Mortuary, encourages everyone to live a happier, more meaningful life by accepting death. Jamie’s speaking engagements include: ICCFA DEAD Talks, ELI Talks and TEDxCrestmoorParkWomen. After more than 10 years in the funeral industry, Jamie shares her insights and approaches on how to have those difficult conversations and how to address sensitive issues.

Apart from birth, dying is the only experience each of us will experience. In this video, Jamie shares why she believes it’s important for everyone to learn how to talk about death. She says that by using the appropriate terminology we learn to become comfortable with the reality and learn to approach death from a point of strength instead of crisis.